09TBILISI857, GEORGIAN FORCES IN CONTROL OF MILITARY BASE,

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C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000857
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2019
TAGS: PRELPGOVRRBGA
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN FORCES IN CONTROL OF MILITARY BASE,
OPPOSITION DELAYS PLANS TO BLOCK ROADS
REF: TBILISI 852
Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA)
reported that at 1440 local time the mutineers at the
Mukhravani military base surrendered. The soldiers involved
have surrendered and laid down their weapons and the MOIA is
in control of the base. According to the media, President
Saakashvili has entered the base together with the Deputy
Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense. One of the senior
base officials, Mamuka Giorgashvili, is in custody and being
transported to Tbilisi. Just prior to the surrender,
President Saakashvili addressed the country saying that the
mutineers had been given a deadline to lay down their weapons
and stressed that the mutiny at Mukhravani was an isolated
incident. Saakashvili also noted that those involved in the
mutiny had links with Russia.
¶2. (C) Earlier in the day, the MOIA showed a video of the
organizers outlining their strategy to overthrow the
government, which included arresting senior government
officials, capturing strategic assets such as the airport,
and bringing 5000 Russian troops into undisputed Georgian
territory. The Minister of Foreign Affairs told the
Ambassador that the government had uncovered the plot and
began arresting organizers on May 4. The Foreign Minister
will address the diplomatic corps at 1800 local time. EUMM,
OSCE, and UNOMIG all report no new movements along the
boundaries. The leaders of radical opposition have said they
have delayed their plans to blockade roads out of Tbilisi as
a result of this incident. END SUMMARY.
¶3. (C) Further to reftel, At 1415 local time May 5, one MOD
official was given permission to enter the Mukhravani base to
start negotiations. During negotiations the mutineers scaled
back their demands, and have now surrendered entirely. Once
the revolt had ended President Saakashvili entered the base
to talk with those still in the facility.
¶4. (C) In a press conference earlier in the day, MOIA showed
a video tape of one of the purported organizers of the revolt
at Mukhravani having lengthy discussions on a scenario for
the revolt including arresting senior government officials,
capturing strategic assets such as the airport, Chancellery
and Parliament, and strategic roads into and out of the city.
The organizer also notes that 5000 Russian soldiers would
enter Georgia as a scaring tactic.
¶5. (C) The Minister of Foreign Affairs told the Ambassador
that the MOIA had uncovered the plot and began arresting
organizers on the evening of May 4. The FM said that most
officers involved were apparently dismissed from the army
following the Rose Revolution. The group reached out to
active duty military units and officers in hopes of garnering
support. It does not appear they were successful in doing
so. The battalion at Mukhravani is from Gori and has 38
upgraded T-72 tanks and 20 armored personnel carriers in its
possession. All other military installations appear calm.
Both MOIA and MOD Special Forces units were mobilized in
response to the crisis. The Foreign Minister will hold a
briefing for the diplomatic corps at 1800 local time.
¶6. (SBU) UNOMIG, OSCE, and EUMM report no unusual activities
at the administrative boundaries with South Ossetia and
Abkhazia.
¶7. (SBU) Tbilisi traffic is currently in gridlock due to the
rain and ongoing protests in the center of the city. The
Qrain and ongoing protests in the center of the city. The
opposition held a special meeting to determine if they would
continue with plans to block the major thoroughfares in and
out of Tbilisi. In response to the security situation,
opposition leaders have announced that they intend to delay
blocking the roads. Protesters remain in their original
positions at Parliament and the Public Broadcaster's
building. However, soon after, the main leaders of the
opposition, including Iraklia Alasania, addressed the press
claiming that this was a staged show and a "virtual uprising"
aimed at obstructing opposition plans for May 5.
TEFFT

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